Rapper Cardi B publicly criticized Atlantic Records on Wednesday after a surprise promotional pop-up event in New York City descended into chaos due to overwhelming crowd sizes. The impromptu gathering, organized to promote her upcoming album “Am I The Drama,” drew far more fans than organizers had anticipated, creating significant safety and logistical challenges.
The incident has intensified already existing tensions between Cardi B and her label. In recent weeks, the Grammy-winning artist had previously apologized to Atlantic following disputes about the release of her single “Outside,” but this latest development suggests their working relationship remains complicated. She previously admitted to being bratty and mean regarding the song’s release timing.
Cardi’s social media comments directly implicated the record label in what she characterized as poor event management and inadequate preparation.
Atlantic Records completely dropped the ball with this event—they should’ve known better when it comes to crowd safety.
Atlantic Records, which has yet to release a detailed statement addressing the specific NYC incident, has previously denied rumors of sidelining the popular rapper. CEO Eliot Grainge had earlier reaffirmed the label’s commitment to supporting Cardi’s projects despite speculation about promotional budget cuts, which Cardi herself had jokingly referenced as being reduced to as little as $50.
The pop-up event was part of Cardi B’s ongoing meet-and-greet promotional tour, which includes additional stops in Long Beach and other locations. Music industry experts suggest that these in-person events represent a strategic pivot toward the direct fan engagement tactics that have become increasingly vital for artist promotion in 2024. Despite the logistical problems in New York, tickets for these events have consistently sold out, demonstrating strong fan support amid the promotional challenges. The upcoming Sept. 25 event at Fingerprints Music in Long Beach is already at capacity, with fans being advised to check for possible openings a week before.
Fans on social media expressed mixed reactions, combining enthusiasm for the artist with concerns about safety and crowd control. Many praised Cardi for publicly addressing the problems and advocating for her audience, while others questioned the planning behind such a high-profile surprise event in a densely populated urban area.
Industry observers note that the public nature of this dispute highlights the evolving relationship between major recording artists and traditional labels, particularly regarding promotional strategies in an era where direct artist-to-fan engagement has become increasingly important. This conflict exemplifies how artists are increasingly seeking control over their revenue streams beyond traditional label-managed promotions.
